Why is my face burning?

ailsaek · Post by **ailsaek** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:02 pm

Hi all. My one month followup appointment at the sleep lab is next week, and I have already changed masks once. The new mask (Comfortgel Petite) mainly works for me, and I find it much more comfortable than the original one I had (can't recall what exactly it was, but it was small, not petite) that left my cheekbones feeling bruised. The last few days, though, I've been waking up with my face burning everywhere the mask touches it, and it keeps doing it for a couple of hours every morning. It's really uncomfortable when I wake up in the middle of the night, but not quite uncomfortable enough to keep me from falling back to sleep. I've got a humudifier going, but only on the first click, because any higher and I find the air too hot to sleep comfortably.

Does anyone have any suggestions on why it's doing that, and how to make it stop? Thanks immensely. My poor nose is starting to feel like lizard skin.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 7:42 pm

Just a guess--are you developing (or already had) a sensitivity or allergy to the silicone?

My mother had a spiral bracelet with a keyring. She used it for her housekey while bike riding. After a few days, her wrist was getting red and sore. When she quit wearing it, no more problems.

It may even be something else you have used to clean it, etc.? It should be surgical grade silicone, but everyone's sensitivities are different.

Good luck pinning this down!

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): clean

ailsaek · Post by **ailsaek** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 5:28 am

I didn't know people could be allergic to silicone; that's worrying.

And as another data point, I tried loosening my mask last night just in case that was the problem, and all that got me was waking up numerous times in the night to reseat my mask, and now that entire triangle area of my face feels dry and crackly. Not fun.

ailsaek · Post by **ailsaek** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 3:14 pm

OK, assume it's just the air from the CPAP drying my skin out painfully. Is there anything I can do about it other than rub moisturizer on it and hope? (I did that today, it hasn't helped yet.)

Help? I can't be the only one this has happened to.

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 3:41 pm

ailsaek wrote:OK, assume it's just the air from the CPAP drying my skin out painfully. Is there anything I can do about it other than rub moisturizer on it and hope? (I did that today, it hasn't helped yet.)

Help? I can't be the only one this has happened to.

Does your machine have the (heated) humidifier too? If not, you might need that. (I know I sure do.)

Kimberly

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 5:14 pm

Sounds like allergy. Any redness? Look at the brochure that came with the mask to make sure what it is made out of. Like Birshell said it could be what you clean it with so really rinse it well after washing it. You could try one of the OTC hydrocortisone creams.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:46 pm

Please let us know how it is going.

We can guess at causes, but as for those sleep techs, neurologists/pulmonologists, RT's, and any other specialty in the sleep disordered breathing world:

They just MAY have had more experience with this than any of us, as they treat so many patients AND read the medical/technical journals pertaining to the new and different!

So, you may want to call YOUR experts!! What a concept!

If all else fails, maybe a dermatologist could be helpful.

Even if there is a problem with the mask's silicone (and not the cleaning product), maybe a different mask would be tolerable for you. I am basing this on the red, sore spots one pair of nosepads on my glasses gave me. After a few tries, the optician switched the nosepads for a different kind and I have had no more problems for at least 6-7 years.

Best wishes. Hopefully you will not have to stop CPAP treatment--get the DME provider to give you 2 different masks (say, a full face or nasal type for one night, and then a nasal pillows from over the head type) so that you might be able to alternate wearing them and give the sore skin a break.

I hope that you have found some relief already.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:48 pm

Is it possibly shear effect-the mask silicone sealing well to the skin and pulls the top layer of skin over the lower layers when the mask moves slightly-it happens under my nose and give a burning sensation.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:18 pm

Wow, krousseau, I never thought of that but what a great analysis. Probably the silicone keeps the skin moist, which softens it and makes it easier to shear off. Does this eventually stop as the skin toughens and adapts?

I guess if one wears a true mask, one knows more about them than an interface wearer.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:47 pm

I've found my skin a little tougher but it hasn't gome away entirely-and the skin doesn't actually shear off-though I have had one small blister so guess that is separating the layers of skin-it's just the pulling and burning sensation.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:14 pm

I wonder if there is a skin cream to toughen the area just a bit. Maybe a dermatologist would be able to help.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:52 pm

I use tincture of benzoin-let it dry-then dip my finger tip/pad of finger into baby powder and tap some onto the tacky benzoin. Or use some benzoin-let it get tacky and then use a Bandaid Ampoules (Gel Blister Strip) cut to size for the area involved.
No-I do not derive any benefit from the makers of Brand name products I mention or recommend-they just work well for me, they are readily available, and are likely to be useful for other people. I will mention when an item is pricey and try to list alternatives.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:05 pm

OK, krousseau, ONCE AGAIN you have nailed an answer on the head. You always have the wise and reasonable solution.

It isn't even my problem and I'm impressed.

How are things going, ailsaek? You should have seen your sleep doc by now. Any help from that source?

Why is my face burning?

Why is my face burning?

Sensitivity

Progress?

Shear

Skin Shear

Wisdom